Can you rent an apartment in Canada if you aren't a resident or visa-holder?

Question

Asking for a friend who is an American moving to a job in Buffalo and was curious as to whether or not she could live in Canada without filing alot of paperwork. I know she'd need a visa if she wanted to work in Canada, but what about just to live there and work in the States?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Answer 1

Many US citizens in the Buffalo area have summer homes in Canada (there are families who have had summer homes for several generations!) and commute to Buffalo to continue their jobs.  Have your US passport, get a summer place (lease one for a year, for that matter).  Immigration is used to it once you properly set it up -- proof of job in Buffalo, and proof of property in Canada.  Commuting is very expensive however!

You may not stay in Canada more than 180 days.  You absolutely may not work in Canada.  Canadians are very strict about immigration.  And any household goods you bring in, you have to take back out or else pay duty on them, and that's expensive.  But so is buying things in Canada.

Answer 2

Yes you can rent a home even if you are not a resident or citizen of Canada.

Answer 3

Probab ly.

Answer 4

Your friend can cross the border in either direction as often as she like,and can certainly rent a Canadian apartment and go to work across the border in the USA if she likes. It means she will be working in the US,so her status in Canada as  visitor which is exactly what she will be. She can stay in Canada as long as she likes as long as she does not work there. Quite a few people do that already.